Opening of registration for the program Best for Geneva 2018

Best For Geneva was announced on November 22nd 2017 at the event GE=Ci² organized by the Department of Security and Economy (DSE). This ambitious program is the first of its kind in Europe and has been developed and brought to you by B Lab (Switzerland), the Swiss chapter of the internationally renowned nonprofit organization B Lab.

Best for Geneva is a transversal program enjoying the support of the State of Geneva and co-created with over thirty further partners of the canton’s economic fabric, including academic stakeholders, businesses, business support organizations, autonomous entities of public law and umbrella organizations. (Please find the list here.)

The program represents a challenge open to all businesses based in Geneva, irrespective of size, industry, and sector, which are interested in developing and/or improving their social and environmental practices. The participation in Best for Geneva is entirely free of charge and provides participating companies with holistic support, its main objective being to develop a sustainability strategy directly integrated into economic activities. The need to act for future generations is widely acknowledged, and this program offers a unique opportunity to collectively install business practices that make a difference.

Together with its network of partners, Best for the Geneva helps to educate, equip and celebrate all of the canton’s businesses wishing to be part of an inclusive economic system that incorporates sustainable growth, while preserving the environment. The program is designed to leverage a sustainable creation and promotion of high-quality jobs and closer ties between businesses and the local community.

Measuring the impact of business practices is today’s economic asset guaranteeing strong public recognition, whichever company size. Best for Geneva suggests a wide range of customized operational practices, which can be implemented in the short-term, as well as pragmatic recommendations improving business models in the mid-to long-term. This is a direct response to the Agenda 2030 with regards to the involvement of the private sector on a national level in the implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, as defined by the United Nations.

Best for Geneva 2018 will take place over the 12 coming months and is based on the following elements, which are all free of charge:

Assessment of the participating companies’ impact through an online tool consisting in 60 questions;

Thirty workshops and trainings, aiming at improving business practices as well as at creating forums for discussion. These events are co-created and animated by actors composing the local economic fabric;

Four inspiring events designed as a platform to share and enhance experiences of economic actors in the field of sustainable development, thereby facilitating exchanges of views on the opportunities and of expertise present in the canton, and encouraging other businesses to take part in the program;

Celebration of participating companies linked with the presentation of results of Best for Geneva 2018.

With over 167 companies already pre-registered for the program, Best for Geneva is off to a promising start. The program still has a few surprises in store. These will be revealed during the first event, which will take place on March 13th 2018. Please find more information on the website: www.bestforgeneva.ch